Justification:
This uncommon species appears to rely on dense forest. It is thought to have a small or moderately small population, occupying a small range, in which hunting and logging are likely to be causing it to decline, but which is not considered to be severely fragmented. It is therefore classified as Near Threatened.

Columba palumboides is endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar (including Great Nicobar, Nancowry, Car Nicobar and Batti Malv) archipelagos, India (BirdLife International 2001). It is uncommon in the Andamans (A. Prasad in litt. 2002), and the same may be true in the Nicobar islands.

This exclusively arboreal species inhabits dense broadleaved evergreen forest and occurs in pairs or small parties (BirdLife International 2001, Gibbs et al. 2001). It is frugivorous, taking a wide variety of large berries and fruit, and wanders between islands in search of food sources such as fruiting fig trees (BirdLife International 2001, Gibbs et al. 2001).

Its limited range and preference for dense forest suggest that it is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Indeed, although forest remains fairly extensive on the Andaman and Nicobar islands, the human population on larger islands is rising and habitat is consequently under pressure from agriculture, grazing, logging and development projects. Hunting is also apparently common on the islands and may affect this species.

Conservation Actions ProposedResearch its ecology and survey to assess population size. Regularly monitor to determine population trends. Investigate its tolerance of degraded forest and the extent of hunting by local residents. Control hunting where possible, perhaps using awareness campaigns. Protect significant areas of intact forest on a number of islands across its range.